Fernando Alonso declares top-10 finishes ‘mandatory’ for Aston Martin's F1 revival

Fernando Alonso Reflects on Eighth-Place Finish at Spanish GP as a Boost for Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso has candidly reflected on his eighth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, admitting that it was a much-needed boost for Aston Martin following a challenging start to the 2023 Formula 1 season. The two-time world champion emphasized the importance of consistent top-10 results, describing them as "mandatory" for the underperforming team to meet its objectives.

Breaking the Streak of Disappointment

Alonso’s ninth-place finish at his home circuit broke a disappointing streak of eight races without scoring points — his worst season-opening stretch since his rookie year with Minardi in 2001 and the infamous 2015 McLaren-Honda season.

"It’s [good] just to free a little bit of pressure on everyone's shoulders in the team and try to get some consistency into Q3," Alonso said post-race. "This was the third consecutive race in Q3, this is the first point, so if we build something that you are constantly in the top 10 on Saturdays and Sundays, definitely it will help everyone."

He added:

"We need to score points, also with Sauber scoring a lot of points today. It’s mandatory for us that we score points every weekend or every two weekends. So, we need to raise the level."

Challenges Leading into Spain

Heading into the Spanish Grand Prix, Aston Martin hadn’t scored a single point since Lance Stroll’s ninth-place finish at the second round of the season. Stroll’s early performance, paired with a sixth-place finish in the opening race, briefly hinted at mid-field competitiveness. But subsequent races saw the team struggling to break into the top 10, leaving Aston Martin tied for ninth in the Constructors’ standings with Alfa Romeo Sauber, whose standout fifth-place finish by Nico Hülkenberg in Spain bolstered its position. Alpine sits just five points ahead in the standings, further underscoring the urgency for Aston Martin to improve.

Aston Martin’s hopes for a strong weekend were further hampered before Sunday’s race, as Stroll was forced to withdraw after qualifying due to persistent hand and wrist pain, leaving Alonso to carry the team’s chances.

Future Ambitions and Current Pressures

Team owner Lawrence Stroll continues to aim high, pouring significant resources into the long-term Aston Martin project. With major investments in facilities, personnel, and technological infrastructure, Stroll has set a bold vision for the team to contend for titles under the revised 2026 regulations. Among the biggest headlines of the overhaul was the signing of esteemed car designer Adrian Newey, who joined the team earlier this year.

However, despite these ambitious plans, the team’s current season has lacked momentum, placing even more pressure on the likes of Alonso to deliver in the interim.

A Stepping Stone for Consistency

For now, Alonso is treating his points-scoring performance in Barcelona as a stepping stone — one that he hopes will ignite a streak of consistent results for Aston Martin as they claw their way up the standings.

The road ahead remains steep for Aston Martin, who will need more from both their drivers and their car to compete with midfield rivals like Sauber and Alpine. But as Alonso stressed, the key lies in building consistency. Scoring points regularly, even in small numbers, remains the short-term target.

Looking Ahead

With eight difficult races behind them, the ninth round has brought a glimmer of hope — and perhaps a green light for momentum — to a team hungry to justify the massive investments shaping its future.

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